Ben Carson's staffers spoke out on Twitter to make the context of his break clear. | AP Photo

Carson isn't quitting after Iowa. He's doing laundry.

By NICK GASS

02/01/2016 08:25 PM EST

Ben Carson will take a brief detour from the campaign trail after the caucuses. But he is not, his campaign insists, leaving the race--just picking up some fresh clothes.

".@RealBenCarson will be going to Florida to get fresh clothes b4 heading back out on the campaign trail. Not standing down," tweeted Jason Osborne, the Carson campaign's senior communications strategist.

.@RealBenCarson leaving Des Moines later tonight to avoid storm. Not suspending -- getting fresh clothes then back out Wednesday

After CNN reporter Chris Moody reported earlier in the evening that Carson would not go to New Hampshire or South Carolina after Iowa, there was brief speculation that the retired neurosurgeon would end a campaign that sparkled this fall but has limped toward Iowa.

Carson won't go to NH/SC, but instead will head home to Florida for some R&R. He'll be in DC Thursday for the National Prayer Breakfast.